Expert: Judy - 3/26/2010

Question
I am beginning a new life with Buddhism. But due to arthritis I am unable to sit in the proper position. What acceptable alternatives are there? May I sit in a chair or sit on the floor with crossing my legs in the proper position?

Thank you so much
John

Answer
John,

As you already knew that Buddhism is not about rules, dogma, or any restriction. There are ways that we could follow to guide us at the beginning or we could draw our attention in.  Whatever ways we are using are pretty much "convenient ways" in order to incorporate practicality.  These "convenient ways" have to adjusted by individuals according to their physical and mental conditions.  There is no universal way to do one thing or another.  

Please don't worry that you cannot physically sit a certain way.  Lotus position is great, stable, and helping us to center ourselves, when you are able to overlap your legs.  However, it is NOT THE ABSOLUTE or THE ONLY WAY to meditate.  Sitting meditation is only one of many ways to meditate.  Besides, once you study Buddhism more, you will know that actually you can "meditate" anywhere, any way, and any time.  Sitting meditation is emphasized, because we can center ourselves easily this way without much distraction to begin with meditation.  There are static and kinetic meditations.  Eventually, we would incorporate meditative state of mind in every second without doing sitting meditation every second.  Because we want to integrate the calm state of mind into practical and day-to-day living, meditation is not separated from our daily experiences.  Does it make sense to you?

You can sit in a chair with the back support or without depending on your condition, bend your knees and sit on your feet, walk with steps following your breathes slowly.  I meditate in bed when I cannot fall asleep, and guess what?  I am totally relax and able to fall asleep after meditate in bed only for a few minutes.  LOL  Of course I am not suggesting you to meditate in bed, because chances are you would fall asleep.  However, what I am trying to say is that anyway you feel comfortable can be done while you are meditating.